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State, FEMA to Close Joint Field Office January 22, 2016

PHILADELPHIA – The State of West Virginia and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Joint Field Office in Charleston, WV will close January 22, 2016. For the past ten months the state and FEMA have been working closely to support the recovery from the 2015 spring and summer storms that impacted 67 Counties.

What does this mean for the people of West Virginia?

Regis Phelan, the Federal Coordinating Officer said, “FEMA will continue to work closely with the state to ensure the recovery process continues smoothly and projects are complete.”

A Joint Field Office is closed when most of its work is completed. The federal work is then transitioned to the regional FEMA office, located in Philadelphia, PA. FEMA officials will continue to work closely with state personnel to close out major projects over the next few years.

From the Region, FEMA personnel will continue to support work on five presidentially declared disasters that impacted West Virginia. The five disasters are DR 4210, DR 4219, DR 4220, DR 4221 (Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides) and DR 4236 (Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides).

“The State of West Virginia will be communicating and working with FEMA to ensure assistance to the counties continues smoothly,” said West Virginia’s State Coordinating Officer Jimmy Gianato. “Over the past year the Joint Field Office has allowed us to make substantial progress in the recovery from the five disasters that impacted our state and we will continue to move forward in our recovery.”

To date, FEMA, through its Public Assistance program, has obligated $78 million in assistance to the state, local governments and eligible non-profit agencies. Many of the projects involve the reconstruction of public buildings, roads, and bridges.

Following a disaster there is a focus on mitigation actions when restoring damaged infrastructure, when cost effective, so the repaired facility is better able to withstand future disaster damage. So far, the state and FEMA officials have identified 585 mitigation projects from 1,250 infrastructure projects.

For additional information visit www.fema.gov/states/west-virginia or www.dhsem.wv.gov

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. FEMA Region III’s jurisdiction includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. Stay informed of FEMA’s activities online: videos and podcasts are available at fema.gov/medialibrary and youtube.com/fema. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/femaregion3.

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State, FEMA to Close Joint Field Office January 22, 2016

FEMA Housing Inspectors In Mississippi Counties Damaged By December Storms

PEARL, Miss. – Housing inspectors contracted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are assisting eligible survivors of the recent severe storms, tornadoes and flooding by visiting neighborhoods and checking for damage.

“The free FEMA housing inspections are an essential part of the recovery process for survivors who need to make their homes livable again or have serious personal property loss,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Joe Girot. “Homeowners and renters can help us help them by first registering and then making sure they coordinate with the inspectors for the visits.”

Survivors can register by calling the toll-free FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, seven days a week. Assistance is available in multiple languages. Survivors may also register online using their computers, smartphones or tablets at DisasterAssistance.gov.

The recovery process begins when those living in the five Mississippi counties – Benton, Coahoma, Marshall, Quitman, and Tippah – designated for disaster assistance complete the registration process. Survivors need to register with FEMA and report uninsured or underinsured damage to their homes, vehicles or other personal property. An inspector will then contact the applicant and schedule an appointment to visit the home.

To speed the inspection process, applicants should:

Ensure their home or mailbox number is clearly visible from the road.
Keep their appointment or notify the inspector if a postponement is necessary.
Authorize another adult to act as their agent and be present on their behalf during the inspection if they have evacuated and cannot return for the inspection.
Be reachable, informing neighbors where they can be contacted if they are not staying in the home.
Tell the inspector about other property losses or disaster-related needs such as transportation, medical or dental care, tools needed for a trade and educational materials, so inspectors can relay the information to FEMA.
Take photos of their homes, if possible, which can be used to supplement photos taken by the inspector.

Inspectors try a minimum of three times to contact each applicant, calling at different times on different days. If inspectors cannot reach an applicant, they will post a letter at the applicant’s dwelling with a phone number the applicant should call to reschedule an appointment and/or have the inspection reissued.

When FEMA inspectors arrive at a home, they will display official photo identification. If the photo identification is not displayed, it is important to ask to see it. This helps prevent fraud.

The damage inspection generally lasts 20-45 minutes. As part of the inspection process, homeowners are asked to show proof of ownership, such as a tax bill, a deed, mortgage payment receipt or insurance policy with the property’s address. Renters must show proof of occupancy, a lease, rent payment receipt, utility bill or another document confirming the location was their primary residence at the time of the disaster. Both homeowners and renters also must have a valid driver’s license or other photo identification.

Inspectors document damage, but do not determine the applicant’s eligibility for FEMA assistance. They check for damage to the structure and building systems, to major appliances and septic systems and wells, and enter information into an electronic device that sends the information to FEMA. This speeds up the process of providing assistance.

A U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loss verifier also may schedule an appointment with applicants who have completed an SBA loan application. Like FEMA inspectors, SBA loss verifiers and insurance adjusters are required to carry identification. Residents should ask to see a photo ID if any inspector comes to their home.

Residents should not be concerned if an inspector is seen in their neighborhood, but does not visit every home. They are following schedules and can only visit houses on that day’s list.

For more information on Mississippi disaster recovery, click fema.gov/disaster/4248. Visit the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) website at http://www.msema.org/ or MEMA’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/msemaorg/?fref=ts

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FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

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FEMA Housing Inspectors In Mississippi Counties Damaged By December Storms

IBHS/FEMA Inform Applicants of Potential Assistance Grants following November Storm

BOISE, Idaho – Emergency management specialists from the Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security (IBHS), with support from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), completed a briefing Thursday in Coeur d’Alene as a first step in getting assistance dollars to local and tribal governments and nonprofit utilities affected by the November 17 severe storm and straight-line winds in four northern Idaho counties.

IBHS and FEMA are working in partnership as a result of the Dec. 23, 2015, presidential disaster declaration stemming from the Nov. 17, 2015, windstorm that left thousands without power for extended periods of time. The declaration makes FEMA Public Assistance (PA) grants available to eligible applicants in Benewah, Bonner, Boundary and Kootenai counties and the Coeur d’Alene Tribe. Also available are grants under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP).

Potential applicants have until Jan. 22, 2016, to file a Request for Public Assistance with IBHS to initiate a claim under the disaster declaration.

“Thursday’s applicant briefing was an excellent start to the process of getting Public Assistance grants to those entities that worked so hard to protect local citizens, get power restored and clear roads during and after the storm,” said Brad Richy, director of the Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security. “We welcome FEMA’s partnership as we move into the next phase of working directly with each of the applicants.”

The Public Assistance program reimburses state and local governments, federally recognized tribes and certain private nonprofit organizations for eligible expenses they incurred in protecting lives and property ahead of and during the storm, and in cleaning up and repairing afterward.

“We are committed to working closely with our Idaho state partner to expedite grants to eligible applicants in northern Idaho,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Thomas Dargan of FEMA. “Our goal is to support the communities and utilities that took steps to ensure people’s safety during the storm and to make repairs afterward.”

Meetings will be held between applicants and project managers from IBHS and FEMA to discuss which types of expenses and projects are federally reimbursable. Discussions include the process of rebuilding structures to resist damage in the future. These meetings are an important step in getting assistance dollars to the applicants.

Under the PA program, FEMA reimburses applicants for 75 percent of their eligible expenses, while the other 25 percent is the non-federal share. The federal portion is paid directly to the state, which then makes disbursements to the local and tribal jurisdictions and nonprofit organizations that incurred costs. The HMGP, administered by the state, is also a cost-share program, with FEMA providing 75 percent of the funds.

More information about the PA program is available at www.fema.gov/public-assistance-local-state-tribal-and-non-profit and http://bhs.idaho.gov/Pages/Operations/DisasterAssistance/PublicAssistance.aspx.

Additional information for the specific disaster, including funds obligated to the state, is available at www.fema.gov/disaster/4246.

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IBHS/FEMA Inform Applicants of Potential Assistance Grants following November Storm

President Obama Signs Emergency Declaration for Missouri

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that federal emergency aid has been made available to the State of Missouri to supplement state, tribal, and local response efforts due to the emergency conditions in the area affected by severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding beginning on December 22, 2015, and continuing.

The President’s action authorizes FEMA to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in Audrain, Barry, Barton, Bollinger, Boone, Butler, Callaway, Camden, Cape Girardeau, Carter, Cedar, Christian, Clark, Cole, Cooper, Crawford, Dallas, Dent, Douglas, Dunklin, Franklin, Gasconade, Greene, Hickory, Howard, Howell, Iron, Jasper, Jefferson, Laclede, Lawrence, Lewis, Lincoln, Madison, Maries, Marion, McDonald, Miller, Mississippi, Moniteau, Montgomery, Morgan, New Madrid, Newton, Oregon, Osage, Ozark, Pemiscot, Perry, Phelps, Pike, Polk, Pulaski, Ralls, Reynolds, Ripley, Scott, Shannon, St. Charles, St. Clair, St. Francois, St. Louis, Ste. Genevieve, Stoddard, Stone, Taney, Texas, Vernon, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Webster, Wright counties and the independent City of St. Louis.

Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency. Debris removal and emergency protective measures, limited to direct federal assistance, will be provided at 75 percent federal funding.

Michael L. Parker has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal response operations in the affected area. Parker said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema.

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

Continued here –

President Obama Signs Emergency Declaration for Missouri

President Declares Disaster for Idaho

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that federal disaster aid has been made available to the State of Idaho to supplement state, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the area affected by a severe storm and straight-line winds on November 17, 2015

The President’s action makes federal funding available to state, tribal and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storm and straight-line winds in the counties of Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, and Kootenai and the Coeur d’Alene Tribe.

Federal funding is available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

Thomas J. Dargan has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Dargan said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

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President Declares Disaster for Idaho

State, Federal Assistance for California Wildfire Survivors Tops $30 Million

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) have approved more than $30 million in disaster recovery grants and loans for survivors of the Butte and Valley wildfires.

“The job isn’t finished,” said FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Tim Scranton. “We continue working with all of our recovery partners through the holiday season to help the survivors and communities in Calaveras and Lake counties recover and rebuild.”

“We have excellent teams who are dedicated to the mission,” said Cal OES State Coordinating Officer Charles Rabamad. “I’m continually inspired by the hard work and focus everyone has on trying to get those who were burned out of their houses into homes for the holidays.”

Here is a snapshot of state and federal disaster assistance approved to date:

The registration period for federal assistance ended Nov. 23, 2015. During that timeframe, more than 3,700 Californians contacted FEMA for information or registered for assistance with FEMA.
$940,000 approved for survivors through California’s State Supplemental Grant Program.
More than 1,500 survivor households have been approved for a total of more than $11.5 million in FEMA Individual Assistance grants.
- Of that, nearly $7.5 million was approved in Housing Assistance, which can include grants to help cover home repair and replacement costs as well as financial rental assistance.
- 833 survivor households are receiving rental assistance. Of that number, 606 are renters and 227 are homeowners.
- More than $4 million was approved for Other Needs Assistance, which helps survivors cover the cost of replacing lost contents and other disaster-related expenses.
SBA has approved $19.2 million in low-interest disaster loans to help business owners and residents with their recovery.
- $16.9 million approved for 190 homeowners and renters.
- $2.2 million for 34 businesses.
35 survivor households are currently sheltering at hotels and motels through FEMA’s Transitional Sheltering Assistance program. The program is designed to provide temporary sheltering until alternative housing accommodations are made available.

Helping survivors find a safe, secure temporary place to live is the number one priority of the state and federal recovery team. FEMA is working with eligible survivor households in both counties to ensure their temporary housing needs are met. When it comes to temporary housing for survivors, the first option is always rental assistance as it is the fastest and most efficient form of temporary housing.

FEMA continues connecting eligible survivors with available rental resources within a reasonable commuting distance from their community. For survivors in areas where rental resources are not available, the agency is working to provide Manufactured Housing Units on both private sites and commercial sites.

FEMA, the state and the counties are coordinating to complete debris removal, secure utilities and complete required local licensing to move more Manufactured Housing Units onto feasible private sites. FEMA is also working with property owners at various commercial sites to complete required upgrades and move more units onto those locations.

Survivors can make changes or track their grant status online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362; TTY 800-462-7585; 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

Although the deadline has expired to apply for property damage loans from SBA, small, non-farm businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size may continue to apply for an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. EIDL assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage. These loans help meet financial obligations and operating expenses, which could have been met had the disaster not occurred.

EIDL applicants may apply online via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Disaster loan information and application forms are also available from SBA’s Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955 or emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call 800-877-8339. For more disaster assistance information, or to download applications, visit www.sba.gov/disaster.

For more information on California’s wildfire recovery, go to caloes.ca.gov and fema.gov/disaster/4240 and follow us on Twitter @femaregion9 and @Cal_OES, and on Facebook at facebook.com/FEMA and facebook.com/CaliforniaOES.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from and mitigate all hazards.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). If you have a speech disability or hearing loss and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585 directly; if you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who are referred to SBA for a disaster loan must apply to be eligible for additional FEMA assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

The SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

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State, Federal Assistance for California Wildfire Survivors Tops $30 Million

President declares major disaster for Texas

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of Texas to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in the area affected by severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding during the period of October 22-31, 2015.

The President’s action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Bastrop, Brazoria, Caldwell, Comal, Galveston, Guadalupe, Hardin, Harris, Hays, Hidalgo, Liberty, Navarro, Travis, Willacy, and Wilson counties.

Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

Kevin L. Hannes has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Hannes said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in the designated area can begin applying for assistance today by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or by web enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov. Disaster assistance applicants, who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.

Follow FEMA online at http://blog.fema.gov, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema. The social media links provided are for reference only.

FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

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President declares major disaster for Texas

Survivors Urged to Stay in Touch with FEMA

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The deadline for Calaveras and Lake county wildfire survivors to register with FEMA has passed, but various forms of disaster assistance remain available. Survivors who registered with the Federal Emergency Management Agency are urged to stay in touch with the agency.

“Even though the DRCs are closed, FEMA remains in California to work with the state and local governments to provide assistance with recovery,” said Tim Scranton, Federal Coordinating Official for this disaster. “FEMA will remain as long as needed.”

Charles Rabamad, the Deputy State Coordinating Officer added: “Recovery is ongoing, all this work could not be done without our federal, state and local partnerships. Cal OES continues to support and assist these communities in the rebuilding and redeveloping efforts.”

Applicants can track their claims and should notify FEMA of changes to their mailing addresses, phone numbers, email addresses and if they receive insurance settlements or discover additional damages.

How to reach FEMA:

Go online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or www.fema.gov
Dial the FEMA Helpline 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585
For those who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services, call 800-621-3362
The toll-free numbers are operated from 6 a.m. to midnight daily

Survivors Advised to Stay in Touch with FEMA

Multilingual phone operators are available on the FEMA helpline. Choose Option 2 for Spanish and Option 3 for other languages.

Although the Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) are closed, the U.S. Small Business Administration will operate Disaster Loan Outreach Centers (DLOCs) at the DRC sites in San Andreas and Middletown. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

At the DLOCs disaster loan applications, started before Nov. 23, can be finalized. The two facilities will remain open until further notice.

For more information, contact the SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@SBA.gov or visiting SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals may call 800-877-8339. DLOCs will be closed from Thanksgiving Day through the weekend, reopening Monday, Nov. 30.

Other services available to survivors include:

Crisis Counseling is a service provided through your county Mental Health Department. Services, for children and adults, help survivors deal with the emotional affects of going through a crisis. Call the Calaveras County Mental Health Crisis Hotline: 800-499-3030 (main office number 209-754-6525). The Lake County Mental Health Crisis Hotline is 800-900-2075.
Legal Services is provided to survivors for free through the Young Lawyers Division of the American Bar Association. Legal advice is limited to cases that will not produce a fee including assistance with insurance claims, advice on landlord/tenant problems, home repair contracts and contractors, mortgage-foreclosure problems, assisting in consumer protection matters, remedies and procedures and replacement of wills and other important

legal documents. Survivors unable to pay for legal services may call 800-657-0479 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. Monday through Friday. For TTY: call 711.

For more information on California’s wildfire recovery, visit: caloes.ca.gov or fema.gov/disaster/4240 and follow us on Twitter @femaregion9 and @Cal_OES and on Facebook at facebook.com/FEMA and facebook.com/CaliforniaOES.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been

Survivors Urged to Stay in Touch with FEMA

discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). If you have a speech disability or hearing loss and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585 directly; if you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an

SBA loan. However, applicants who are referred to SBA for a disaster loan must apply to be eligible for additional FEMA assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

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Survivors Urged to Stay in Touch with FEMA

Include Your Pets in Disaster Preparedness Planning

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Many pets were left behind to fend for themselves during the wildfires in California’s Calaveras and Lake counties resulting in serious injuries, death or disappearance.

This occurred because the fire came so fast many survivors had no time to save the animals.

“Pets are members of the family. You wouldn’t want to leave a family member behind during a disaster would you?” said Deputy State Coordinating Officer Charles Rabamad. “Having a plan and emergency kit for your pets is just as important as having them for your mother, father, sister or brother.”

With predictions of more severe weather and flooding this winter due to El Niño now is a good time to develop both a family and pet emergency plan. Here are some tips on what to include in your pet plan:

If your pet doesn’t have a microchip, ask your veterinarian about the possibility. Make sure your pet’s tags are up-to-date and fastened to its collar. If possible, attach the address and/or phone number of your evacuation site. If your pet gets lost, its tag is its ticket home.
Make sure your pet’s immunizations are current and keep a copy of the veterinary records with you.
Take a photo of your pet and keep it with you for identification purposes.
Make a pet emergency kit. You should have enough pet food, bottled water and medications for three days. Also, pack cat litter and pan, manual can opener, food dishes, leash and collar, brush, blankets, a first aid kit and other supplies. A full list of items to include can be found online at www.Ready.Gov. Information also is available at www.Cal-cares,com and www.CDFA.ca.gov.
If you plan to shelter in place, identify a safe area of your home where you can all stay together. Put all emergency supplies in that room ahead of time, including your pet’s crate and supplies.

Include Your Pets in Emergency Planning

Consider checking with your local animal control agency or emergency management office now to determine if a pet-friendly shelter is available in your area. Make a list of boarding facilities and veterinary offices that might be able to shelter animals in disaster emergencies.
Make a buddy system with your friends or neighbors as a back-up emergency plan if you cannot care for your animals yourself. The buddy system will assure that someone is available to care for or evacuate your pets if you are unable to do so.

Those with larger animals such as horses, cattle, sheep, goats or pigs should also plan for these animals by:

Ensuring all animals have some form of identification.
Evacuating animals whenever possible. Map out primary and secondary routes in advance.
Making sure vehicles and trailers for transporting animals as well as experienced handlers and drivers are available.
Ensuring destinations have food, water, veterinary care and handling equipment.

Survivors can register for FEMA assistance online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362; TTY 800-462-7585; 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362. Registration continues through Nov. 23.

For more information on California’s wildfire recovery, visit: caloes.ca.gov or fema.gov/disaster/4240 and follow us on Twitter @femaregion9 or @CAL_OES and facebook.com/CaliforniaOES and at Facebook.com/FEMA. For more information on preparing your pets for a disaster go to www.Ready.Gov. The state program CARES also provides information on animal care and control in the event of a disaster or emergency. Find the agency online at www.cal-cares.com.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who are referred to SBA for a disaster loan must apply to be eligible for additional FEMA assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

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Include Your Pets in Disaster Preparedness Planning

FEMA Grants to Help Washington Communities Recover Costs from August Windstorm

CAMP MURRAY, Wash. – As Washington responders pick up the pieces from the latest round of severe weather, specialists from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Washington State Emergency Management Division (EMD) are working with local and tribal officials to help communities recover from last summer’s severe wind event.

The presidential disaster declaration and the subsequent amendment stemming from the August 29 windstorm make FEMA Public Assistance (PA) grants available to eligible applicants in Clallam, Grays Harbor, Island, Jefferson, Snohomish and Whatcom counties.

The PA program reimburses state and local governments, federally recognized tribes and certain private nonprofit organizations for eligible expenses they incurred in protecting lives and property ahead of the storm and in any subsequent cleaning up and needed repairs.

“Washington’s responders made enormous efforts to protect our citizens and get power lines fixed and debris removed during and after the August windstorm,” said State Coordinating Officer Kurt Hardin of EMD. “FEMA grants will go a long way toward reimbursing applicants for much of their expenses.”

To date, 31 potential applicants have filed a Request for Public Assistance (RPA) to initiate a disaster claim under the Oct. 15 disaster declaration.

Since the declaration, the EMD, with FEMA support, has held a series of briefings for potential applicants to provide a general overview of the grant program, outline program deadlines and answer any questions.

Also taking place are initial meetings among applicants and project officers from EMD and FEMA to discuss which types of emergency expenses and projects are federally reimbursable. They also discuss the process of rebuilding structures to resist damage in the future. These meetings are an important step in getting assistance dollars back into the communities.

“By helping state, local and tribal governments, and looking for ways to reduce future damages, the Public Assistance program has an impact on every person who lives in those communities,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Thomas Dargan of FEMA.

Under the PA program, FEMA reimburses qualifying applicants for 75 percent of their eligible expenses, while the other 25 percent is the nonfederal share. The federal portion is paid directly to the state, which then makes disbursements to the local and tribal jurisdictions and other entities that incurred costs directly related to the disaster.

More information about the PA program is available at www.fema.gov/public-assistance-local-state-tribal-and-non-profit and on the Washington EMD website at http://mil.wa.gov/emergency-management-division/.

Additional information regarding the federal response to the windstorm disaster, including funds obligated, is available at www.fema.gov/disaster/4242.

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FEMA Grants to Help Washington Communities Recover Costs from August Windstorm

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